Photoprinting apparatus



Oct. 21, 1952 H. H. HILLMER ET AL 2,614,469

PHOTOPRINTING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 5, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 M77? W M Oct. 21, 1952 H. H. HILLMER ETAL 2,514,469

PHOTOPRINTING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 5, 1949 e Sheets-Shed 3 Gttorneg Oct. '21', 1952 H. H. HILLMER ETAL 2,614,469

PHOTOPRINTING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 3, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 I I 7 3r mefxtor r2 attorney Oct. 21, 1952 H.'H. HILLMER ET AL 2,614,469"

PHOTOFRINTING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 5, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 (Ittorneg Oct. 21,

Filed Feb. 5, 1949 H. H. HILLMER ETAL 2,614,469

PHOTOPRINTIN'G APPARATUS 6 Sheet et 6 Patented Oct. 21, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICES PHOTOPRINTING APPARATUS Herman H. Hillmer and Henry P.-rent, Omaha,

Nebn, assignorsto. PrintingEngineers Incoipd- 1 rated, Omaha, Nehru, a corporation of'Nebraska Application February 3, 1949;S'erial No. 74,323"

4 Claims, (Cl. 95 -73 This invention relates to photo-printing and.

more particularly it is an object of the invention toprovide aprinting machine for accurately reproducing asingle or group of images from a film,. plate or the like'into a plurality of positions on an image receiving film, plate or the like:

the applicants co-pending patent application titled Printing Apparatus, filed August 1, 1947 and bearing the application Serial Number 765,400, now Patent Number 2,588,385; dated March-11, 1952;

Another-object of the invention is to provide improvements on the'machine described in thesaid co -pending"application. t

Aparticular object of the invention is to provide astep and repeat machine employing vacuum suction fordrawing thenegative and positive films togetherpa, particular feature added being that the vacuum is drawn on each of the'two pieces offilm separately and from opposite sides of the two for securing the same to their respective holders, as distinguished from prior art machinesin which vacuum is applied between the two piecesof film for drawing the same to-' gether;

Still another object of the present invention is to 'provi'de a step-and-repeat machine as described having a double row ofstops ordetents extendinglongitudinally and a similar double rowofdetents extending laterally. of the bed plate thereof so that" images of .difierent'sizes:

maybe-placed upon a single film, so that the detents may be arranged on their respective rodsin positions for preparing a positive to make labels'of different sizes so that the film will thus have applied to it images of different sizes, and'so-that images 'may be successively placed lengthwiseof the film to a point adjacent the end thereof; and without removing the positive mm, images maythen be reproduced on the positive film in a. direction-Y. transversely to the:

The general type of machine referred to are images previously put on,- sol that a conserving Still another object of the inventionissto'provide a machine as described having double rows;

silient layerplaced on the surfaceof the bed plate; I

Still another object of the inventionis-to provide astud and; slidable: lug means forlocking the, lamphouse of 1 they machine in a-- position:

disposed in parallelism with the: upper surfaceof the bed plate-thereof. 1 Still another object of: the inventiorr isitoprovide} a; machine as described having aslever for raising and lowering the *lamphouse and: which iseparticularly provided with means'ior limiting swinging-1 movements ofthe lever for:- limiting downward movements of; the lamphouse I in order-to: save wear on the above--menti'oned1 resilient upper surface'of thebediplate.

Still: another-object of the invention isto pro'-' videadjustment screws in the track supporting" blocks-of th'efimachine as described so that'the: said blocks and all mechanism thereabove'can be raised and lowered at; each corner tl'iereof with respect to: the others. for adjusting the'saidrplate' toa desired'position. v

Still a further object"ofrtheinvention-is to provideiadjustm'ent means for- 'raising andlowe'ring the 'detent carrying rods to: place the same in desired positions with respect to other'parts of the; machine. I i

Particular difficulty has been found in two color printingwith-prior :art, machines since great accuracy of operation is required to register respective holders. Pressure sensitive tape, cementitious material, and paste have been employed with attendant loss of time and with waste resultant from inaccuracy.

It has been found especially diflicult and almost impossible with machines of the prior art to truly position a film upon a holder at times when a two or three color reproduction is required. Another disadvantage of such machines has been the employment of a vertically disposed plate or holder to which it is especially difficult to accurately attach film.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a machine which is so constructed that accurate results may be obtained therefrom.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a machine as described having the accuracy of operation required to register an image of one color within an image of another color without objectionable overlapping.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine as described which employs film holders which are normally horizontally disposed during use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine as described employing vacuum as a more eflicient means to secure printing material to the oppositely disposed holders thereof.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a machine for reproducing an image in a plurality of positions which employs detents which may be accurately spaced apart prior to operation and which are not as susceptible to inaccuracy, due to wear, as devices of the prior art.

A still further object of the invention resides in the provision of a mounting for pivotally and slidably carrying one of the holders of the invention in a manner whereby the holder can be swung from a horizontal use position to a vertical position for facilitating the placing of a sheet of printing material thereon.

Yet another objector the invention is to provide a machine as described, one of the holders of which is particularly mounted in a manner adapted to compensate for other inaccuracies and for varying thicknesses of films, plates and the like, to cause oppositely disposed ones of the latter, when in use with the invention, to be pressed against each other for preventing light from entering therebetween.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method of and means for accurately and quickly placing image-bearing printing material upon one of the holders of the invention.

Other and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof.

In the drawings:

Figure 1' is a frontal elevation of the printing machine of the invention;

Figure 2' is' a top plan view of the machine shown in Figure 1, a cover portion thereof being broken away in the upper right-hand corner as shown;

Figure 3 is a view-in-section taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an end elevation of the machine as seen from the left-hand side thereof as shown in Figure 2, a portion of the housing thereof being broken away to show the air compressing apparatus therein;

Figure 5 is a bottom-plan view of the horizontally disposed platform or holder upon the top of which positive photographic material is disposed in operation, portions of the tracks or rails upon which the platform travels being broken away;

Figure 6 is a view-in-section taken along the line 66 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a detailed frontal elevation of a broken-away end portion of the machine shown adjacent the left-hand end of the machine as it is shown in Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a detailed end elevation of the parts shown in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is an end elevation of one of a number of like adjustable stop detent members employed;

Figure 10 is a front elevation of one of the said detent members;

Figure 11 is a front elevation of a portion 01' the lamphouse together with the knurled nut and lug employed for adjusting the position of the lamphouse;

Figure 12 is a top plan view of the parts shown in Figure 11; and

Figure 13 is a frontal elevation of an end portion of one of the detent rods employed showing a detent positioned thereon, and also showing a nut employed for fixing the rod to the upper rails, the latter not being shown in Figure 13.

The printing machine of this invention includes a frame or support Ill. The frame It) is provided with an elongated platform top l2, best seen in Figure 4.

On the top l2 two parallel lower tracks or transverse rails 20 are mounted. The tracks 20 are supported in blocks 22 upwardly from the top H of the frame Ill. The blocks 22 may all be provided with set screws 24 if desired as illustrated by the set screws shown in the forward blocks 22. The screws 24 are threadedly received through the blocks 22 and bear against the supporting surface of the frame NJ.

The tracks 20 are for the purpose of supporting a frame having legs 42 extending therebeneath. The legs 42 are provided with bifurcated lower ends having supporting axles thereon for rotatably supporting a pair of mutually inclined rollers 44. The rollers 44 are adapted to engage opposite sides of the tops of the two parallel lower tracks 20 for traveling therealong.

The frame 40 is further provided with two other tracks disposed thereabove. The tracks 50 are preferably circular in cross section and are disposed in spaced apart parallelism with each other and at a right angle with respect to the tracks 20.

The purpose of the tracks 20 is to support a bed plate or lower holder, or positive film holder as seen in Figures 1, 2, 4 and 7.

The bed plate 60 is best seen in Figure 5. The underside of the bed plate 60 is provided at its rearward end with two roller brackets 62 at the back corners of the bed plate. The roller brackets 62 are adapted to rotatably carry rollers 64 which engage the rearwardmost upper track member 50 for supporting the bed plate 60 thereon.

At the forward side of the bed plate 60 and on the underneath thereof are other roller brackets 62 at the back corners of the bed plate. The roller brackets 62 are adapted to rotatably carry rollers 64 which engage the rearwardmost upper track member 50 for supporting the bed plate 6|] thereon.

At the forward side of the bed plate 60 and on the underneath thereof other roller brackets 66 are provided for supporting rollers 68 which are adapted to travel longitudinally along the forwardmost of the upper tracks 50.

5.: Also dis'posed' on-the underside of thebed plate Gland" secured thereto are looking dog levers I I and 12b The-latter extend transversely of thebed plate 60 overlapping the -forward'side thereof.. The-rearwardends of the levers I0 and-l2= are rigidlylocked in spaced apart positions to aro tatingshaft I4 which latter is rotatably held in bracket I6 to the underside of the bed plate 60.

Also secured to the shaft I4 are two arms 80 which latter are disposed" adjacent each of the respective levers llland 12. The arms 80 extend rearwardly' from the shaft T4 in opposite directions therefrom with respect to the dog/arms and 125' Atthe rearward end'of each" of the arms 80 thelatter-are respectively secured each to a pivotally mounted togglemember '82;

Thetoggle" members 82 'are provided with a protrusion 84' extending "outwardly and rearwardly therefrom as best seen in Figure 6.- The protrusions 84 are adapted to pivot'in a plane in parallelism with the elongated arms 80; The

protrusions 84' are adapted to extend into the centers of'the ends 0f-COlTiDr8SSl0Ii springs 86 whi'ch'latter extend upwardly and rearwardly from the protrusions 84.

Compression springs 86 are engaged at their upperendsby similar protrusions 88 which latter are pivotally secured in any-suitable mannerto brackets-90which latter are secured to the =underside of the bed'plate 60 As thus described, when the locking dog levers 10 are moved'downwardly at their outer ends; the'arms 80 '=move upwardly to a position in which the pivotal connection between the toggle member82 and the arm'80 passes dead center. When dead center is passed the locking-dog levers I0 tend to remain in downwardpositions, held'there" by the springs-"86. Also; the'springs 86 will" tendto hold the levers10in an upward position at othertimes'as best'seen in Figure 6.

The locking dog levers'10areeaoh provided with a dog'94 protruding downwardly from the underside-thereof for engaging detent'members later described.

The upper side'of the bedplate or lowerholder I50 provided with a layer of resilient material, such as rubberor the like I00. The purposeof the rubber It is to permit a tight fit, like a gasketed fit, between the -lower-holder 60 and the lat-er described' upperholder or lam h'ouse.

The layer of resilient material I00 is provided with a rectangular row of" apertures I02. The

upper side'of the bed plateproper is also providedwith a rectan ular row ofapertures continuous with the apertures I02 or, mother words,

forminga part'thereof;

The bed-plate 60 -is provided with a partition IIIi extendingthereacross and spaceddownwardly'from the top IIZthereof. The partition IIO joins the side wallsof the bed plate. 60' for providing a chamber II I between the partition IIIlandthe top II2.

The ch'amber l I4 is provided withan a erture through the partition IIO towhich a plurality of pipe couplings I IG-are Secured. The couplings II6are'J'oineclto a pipe IIBwhich extends to a vacuumtank; as laterdescribed; for drawing a vacuum from thechamber' I Iland through theapertures-I02.

The pipe couplings I I6 are secured tothe partition I I0 in any suitable manner such: asby threadedly securing an end 'coupling IIIi-to a midportiom I ll of "a detent: bracket II8 which latter is secured to the partition H0 by suitable bolts I19; 'asbest/shown in Figure 5. i

I, Theodetentbracketi .I is; has; two: downwardly: disposedz stop: engaging: portions; 1 2.0.. 'for' a pure:

pose laterv described.

Theirframeworki 40'; includes 'blocks" :I 20. each, I having: a hollowed' upperi side for." receiving an upper track"; 50.". As: best: seensinFigure 8, the. blocks I 20 are secured to suitable carriage plates' I22;whi'ch; with the tracksfiflaprovideia carriage forming: another portion of theframeworkgen erally indicated at.

Portions oflthe plate I22 extend forwardly'from; the blocks I20 asbest'seen in Figure. 8, and for the purpose 1 'of upholding a narrow end portion;

I24 of a detentrsupporting rod. I20 and for the further purpose of upholding: the narrow: end. I20 ofa detent supporting rod I'.. Thezsaiddetent supporting-rods: I 2 3 and: I 301 aretdisposed OI'IE'IOIFF wardlvof" the-,other in parallel, positions in front? of. the machine.

Theren'ds I24 and. I28. are themselves'secured to. I22 by means of v.bolts' I36l-having1 knurled. adjustment handles I38: at their upper the I plate end;

Thebolts I36 are best shown in detail in Fig.-: ure 13in which latter is shown that thebolts I36 are provided with narrower lower portions divided from the upper portion by a shoulder indicated-in dotted'lines at I40, the said shoulders each being provided with inclined surfacesextending downwardly.

The ends I24'of thedetent supportingrods I26 and I30. are'provided withapertures extending. downwardly I .therethrough for: the purpose 1 of re- Oneofii the said apertures isshowntin dotted linesin.

ceivingithe lower ends .of the bolts I362 Figure 13 and is .providedwith' an inclined upper portion forlthe reception of theshould'eratthe endof the larger-diameter upper portion of'the bolt I36.

The plate: I22 is similarlyprovided with an: ap-' erture shown in Figurel3lso that'zeach bolt :I30

projects throughan endportion I 24 and: through. the plate I22-, so.thata nut I may: be placed uponthe lower endof thebolt Irfor rigidly securing. the portions .1 2'4:and the plate I 22 together.

Theidetenttsupporting. rods I26" and I30 are each of an approximate circular shape in cross section each having longitudinally extending-- ridge Mduponth'eir upperside. The ridge-I46 is preferably rectangular inicross-section' and is adapted'toibe received. in a suitable notchl50 in I the wall of the central opening I52 ofa detent' I 54. best shown 'inFigureTQ.

Theidetents or spacing'blocks I 54' are all of -like;

construction and. are provided. with a main body portion 158 which is generallyrectangularin outline; The rectangular: portions I56 are provided withopenings I52 as described and are circular and of approximately thediameter-of'the' detent supportingtbarsIZi and I30. The main body por-" tions'.I56:of'.the.detents are each provided'with' slots l'53feXt'6lldlng therethroughfrom the outside. inwardly toward the opening I 52 and joining;

therewith.

The main body portions I56 are further pro vided with an aperture extending-through those two-endportions thereof which are disposedon opposite sideswof the=block I54." The-said aperturesare.fonthepurpose of receivinga bolt I60" having-a nut 182'. The bolt I60 is for the purpose ofidrawingthe walls of the slot I58 toward each other for: claiming the detent I 54 about a detent supporting bar.

' On'theiupper. side of each detentiI'ifit-the"latter isizprovided with a dog-receiving -por'tion 'l64'f which latter is provided with a suitable substantially V-shape slot I66 having sloping side surfaces in the upper side thereof for receiving a dog 94. The dog-receiving slot I66 of each detent I54 is elongated, havin inclined side walls converging downwardly and extends transversely with respect to the axis of the circular opening I52.

Two further detent supporting rods I80 are provided, one at each end of the platform top I2 and extending from front to rear, as best seen in Figure 2. The detent supporting rods I80 are similar in construction and in cross-section with respect to the rods I26 and I30, being provided with longitudinally extending ridges or keys I82 similar to the ridges I46.

At their ends the rods I80 are provided with narrow end portions I86 similar to the end portions I24 of the rods I26 and I30. Suitable bolts I88 having adjustment handles I90 are provided for securing the narrow end portions I86 to clamp blocks I92. The latter are secured to the platform I2 by vertical bolts I93 therethrough. Each block I92 is provided with a ledge I94 for overlapping and holding the adjacent rail block 22.

The detent supporting rods I80 are provided each with a plurality of detents I54 similar to those above described.

The rods I80 are disposed in parallelism with respect to each other and at a right angle with respect to the rods I26 and I30.

The framework 40 is provided with two parallel shafts 200 at its ends which are rotatably secured thereto in suitable mountings 2I0. The shafts 200 are each provided with a locking dog arm 2 I2 similar in all respects to the locking dog arms 10 and 12 previously described, and having downwardly protruding dogs 2I4 secured to the undersides of the Outer ends thereof. The dog arms 2I2 are preferably each provided with a transversely extending opening therethrough which the shaft 2I0 extends.

Each arm 2 I2 is preferably provided with a set screw 2I6 for adjusting the position of the arm 2 I2 longitudinally of its respective shaft 200. At the forward end of each of the shafts 200 the latter are provided with transversely extending throw arms 220 each secured thereto by one of two suitable fittings 224.

The purpose of the levers 224 is to provide a convenient means for throwing the dogs 2 l4 into and out of engagement with the recesses I66 of the detents I54.

As a summary, the above described mechanism generally includes a bed plate 60 and various mechanisms for selectively positioning the bed plate upon the platform I2.

The invention further includes a lamphouse or negative photographic material holder generally indicated at 250. The lamphouse 250 is provided with an outer cover 252. The interior of the lamphouse is best described in the applicants copending patent application titled Printing Apparatus, application No. 765,400, filed August 1, 1947, now Patent Number 2,588,385 dated March 11, 1952.

The construction of the lamphouse is also shown in Figure 3, in which it will be seen that in the upper portion of the interior thereof, a plurality of electric light bulbs 256 are mounted having a flexible power supply wire 258 leading outwardly of the upper side of the lamphouse and extending rearwardly to a source of power supply in communication with a transformer 260. Another supply wire 26I extends from the transformer 260 to a rearward wall 262 of the frame 8 I0. At the said rearward wall the supply wire 258 is provided with a fitting 266 into which a suitable cord may be plugged for connecting the same with a conventional volt circuit.

The lamphouse 250 is provided at its lower end with a glass plate 210 against the underside of which negative photographic material may be placed. The lamphouse 250 also has a ledge 212 extending around the interior thereof and spaced upwardly from the glass 210 for supporting a light diffusing piece of Celluloid or glass 214. As described in the above mentioned co-pending application, means are provided for drawing a vacuum on a recess, not shown, which extends around the glass plate 210. Part of the said mechanism is shown in the present case, as best seen in Figure 4, including a vacuum line 280 which is disposed in communication with the said recess, not shown.

The vacuum line 260 is flexible and extends upwardly and rearwardly through couplings 282 and through a valve 284 and through a vacuum pipe 290 to a vacuum tank 292. The vacuum tank 292 is mounted upon a suitable framework 296, which latter is itself disposed resting upon the floor 295 upon which the frame I0 is also disposed. The framework 296 and tank 292 are independent of the frame I0. The tank 292 is provided with an exhaust pipe 300 which leads to an exhaust pump 3I0 which latter is drivably secured by means of a belt 3I2 and fly wheel 3I4 to a motor 3I6 which latter is mounted upon the framework 296.

As best seen in Figure 4, a moisture collecting device 3I8 is disposed in connection with the pump 3I0 through a pipe 320. The device 3! has a water output pipe 322 extending to a water collecting pan 324.

The lamphouse 250 is secured to a track plate 340 on its rearward side in a manner not shown here but described in the above-mentioned copending application, and in a manner such that the lamphouse 250 is adapted to move upwardly and downwardly respectively in response to upward and downward movements of a control lever 342 which latter is rigidly secured to a shaft 344. The shaft 344 extends transversely of the lamphouse at the rearward side thereof.

The shaft 344 is provided with means, not shown, for engaging the lamphousing 252 for causing the latter to move upwardly and downwardly with respect to the tracks 240 at times when the latter are in vertical positions.

In accordance with the present invention, an arm 360 is secured to the shaft 344 and extends outwardly from the shaft 344 in a direction transversely disposed with respect thereto.

The arm 360 is looped about the shaft 344 and is provided with parallel ends which are secured together by a suitable bolt 362, for binding the looped portion of the arm 360 to the shaft 344. The purpose of the arm 360 is to engage an adjacent side of the frame II) to prevent excessive downward movements of the lamphouse 252 for reducing wear upon the top of the bed plate.

A set screw 366 is provided in the outer end of the arm 360 for engaging an adjacent panel plate 368 secured to a panel of the frame I0 to form adjustable means for regulating the desired stopping position of the lamphouse during downward movements thereof.

The lamphouse 252 is further provided with suitable lifting handles 310 for facilitating a swinging thereof on the pivot pin 312 of the bracket 314.

The photo printing device of the invention further includes two. ivacuum gauges13.80;;andd82 whichilatter are preferably :mounted Qupon: a, vertically disposed panelportion 384.0f1lih8 framellll. The .panel 384 is also provided with. a "timing clock :38B which is adapted to timeiautomatically the periodsuduring which the lightbulbs inthe lamphouse are on. On and off switches L3 88:are also 'providedon the :paneL384 :for automatically regulating the lights in thelamph'ouse.

1 Red safety-lamps: are-provided:andiaredispose in desirable 'positions about the :machine. Two such safety-lamps are shown at 394:and= -396 mounted =upon the opposite upper corners :of the vertical panel 384. Two other-safety. lamps 398 are mounted to l the rearward and iat the outer ends of thebed plate and adjunct mechanism.

room.

Means-are-provided-for preventing the bed plate -60 and the framework 40' from rolling off the endsof their respective rai1s,- such'meansincludes astopbar Mill-secured to theframe and extending longitudinally "of i the elongated bed plate '60. The-bar--400 is-prcvided with a pair'of sideways-motion stops 404 at each end thereof for engaging the=stop engaging portions I 20 of the bed plate bracket! l8.

ThebarA-OO' is 'further provided-with two stop engaging members=4|0 disposed longitudinally therebeneath for'engagingstops 4140f asecond stopbar-4 l 6.

"The stops 4M are-disposed; "one -each-,- atthe oppositeendsof thebar' l l Band-the bar 4 l6 is'secured to'the frame '10- transversely of the elongateclbed platefill.

Means: are provided for securing" the bottom'of the 'lamphouse'tothepanel 384. Such meansincludes a bar 440 which-extends horizontally acrosstheback of the lamphouse asbest shown inFigure 12. The barMll'is securedto'th'e lamphouse "by means of suitable bolts 442. Between the bar "440 and the "backsideofthe lamphouse 250,11. spacer bar --446"is provided. As'thusgdescribed, bolts 442, 'one'of which is'shown'in dotted lines inF'igure 12, are ,disposed throughthe bar -440;and theiplatelldfi and secure the said barand 'plate'tothe'backside of thelamphouse'25ll.

The bar'44'0 "is'a'dapted tofit snugly .against'ithe machinedv walls "of a recess 44B "of "a receiving member 450.

' "The'memberi45ll extends'transverselyacrossthe back of 'thelamphouse250 extendin outwardly of the sides thereof. Thereceiving member 4501s itself secured .bycountersunk bolts 454. shown in dotted linesin Figure 12, to, the panel plate 368 which latter is .mounted upon the front'of .the

panel 384' between. two positioning members 458.

.,-The.member"450. is provided at each end .with

:an outer surface 460. disposediin a;plane withthe outer surface 464 of'the barx440-at times .when the latter is disposed .inuthe recess 448.

- rAgainstreach outer surface. 469 'alug 4710. istdisposed, the lugs i410 :havingfiat surfaces -for en- :gaging the flat surfaces .460.

.The lugsflfl areseach elongated and eachspro- -vided with an elongated slot? 41 fi extending length- :wisethereof. andfof a size forrreceiving. snugly a bolt-post 4-1 8 which latter is threadedlysecured to the member. 450 and protrudes between the-walls 'oftheslot [IE-thereof. A screw .500 is p vid a d :extendsmhmueh the slot 416. The inner end of the:sqrew.:5 80;is threaded and; is threadedly "secured to the. walls of arecess indicated-at 502, as indicated in dotted .linesiniFig -l dl Elbe-sc w 0 siprqvided with a shoulderwportion 504 which;- latter is gof, a diam- -eter larger-than the width of theyslot 4116. H

. 0utwardly orthe h uld 4. a-k u drkno dillfi is provided so;;tha t at times when itisdesired :to frercethexlu 11fl-aeainstrt Dari, i hol ing the lamphouse 25n-zin.position; the knobjllfi is otated -f0r eiorcine s-t e "sho lder. p tion 1: againstthelug 410. i When it is desired ts.;release;ithe lamphouse;250, thegknobfiflfids rotatedrm a direction awanlr thelug arm :so that t eme 4 0amay-bes1 d orthe left about the' bolt 418; andthe screw? 5'00 ior releasing the bar .440. ;,Ihe lamphouse 2151). isgwthen free toabe swung upwardly: atuits botto .Inbperation; positive pho o raphic mat rial; i placed ,on the underside Of lJhG'glOWGIY :glass iplajte 210 ofgthe lamphouse 1:2 50 land I116 endgis he1d;..in placethere by vacuum" as 1 it is. described :in the applicants above :mentioned cor-pending patent application. Positive :photographic material .:;is then placed on the topzof thegbedplategfillandjis held there by vacuum ,being drawn xthroll hcthe .1ines.:28ll, and 290,;whichlatter lead .to the .vacuumitanK-ZSZ, andattimes when'the valves;38,4 are open. 1

. Thejdetent rods. L2 6,;[130 and [80.are then placed in theposition shown iniFigures '1 :and 2;-.the;po-

sitions of the detents I54 thereon havingfirstbeen accurately set .by aothertmeans,,notlshown, in .ac- .cordance with .the desired positions :of images also be reproduced .on-the positive material fromath'e negative. a .The locking 1 dog arms =ilfls and .112 arethen disposed. in .position for. engaging desired; ones of the 'detents 1.54. 'The..1ocking dogsarmss2l'2 arei lso placed .inengagenient with the ,detents-1 l:54 .-on thedetent supporting rod for adjusting @the pOSitiOIlfOf the :bed plate..60 forwardly andirearwardly beneaththe lamphousing2'50.

"The lamphouse 2.50 is then pivoted downwardly into a position such'that itsilower zsrirfaceisdisposed in parallelism with the bed'platefzfifl, the lever 242 is then moved downwardly for lowering the lamphouse toward the bed plateiBO. r-f'ZIhis movement of the lever:.342. is arrested by thearm 360 .at the time whenithe bolt 3&6 engag'esthe panel 384. "The mostdesirable adjustment oflthe bolt. 366 will :vary in accordance with. sithe '.thick-- ness of photographic :material employed.

=1Theitiming mechanism '386 is then-set ferregulating the length of time the bulbslin the lamp- .house are illuminated and one .ofitheswitches .388

v is thrown forv .turning thewbul'bs. on.

After the I desired period of sexposureytime :has passed; the timing 1 mechanism :3 8 6?.will. turn zofi' the. lights 256randthe operator can shift thelbed platetointo the next position lowering a desired one of the dogsys l into engagementwith-a certain desired detent [54.

"This process .of; 'step anderepeat, :can, be :Iolflowed for =produ'cing 8..5I'OW of .imagesracross: the bed plate.

:Should it tbefound, as an -end '01 the positive material is approached, that there ."is space remaining: insuflicient for azfurthervimagai another image may be placed in the I space by; placing the image inta positionzdisposedzatja right :angle with respect to the other imagesjust'previously 11 reproduced. The saving of paper is facilitated through the use of an extra detent supporting rod disposed both transversely and longitudinally of the machine.

In order to place an image on the positive material in a direction transverse with respect to the position of the images previously imprinted, the negative material on the lamphouse is rotated 90 degrees and replaced thereon. The aligning of the bed plate for such transverse imprinting is done through the employment of the other two detent supporting rods which latter were not used in the first reproducing. For this purpose, the said other two detent rods, one at an end and one at the front of the device, are adjusted previous to operation.

This invention has provided a photographic reproduction machin which is automatically timed; which is adapted to reduce waste of photographic material to a minimum; which may be easily and accurately adjusted; the lamphouse of which may be lowered into accurate position without danger of bumping the bed plate; the various positions of the bed plate thereof with respect to the lamphouse being accurately predeterminable by a precision spacing of detents; in the use of which the motions necessary to changing the relative positions of the bed plate with respect to the lamphouse can all be made by an operator from the front of the machine; which is provided with means for setting the lower portion of the lamphouse into exact parallelism with the top of the bed plate; and which is provided with safety lights in the most desirable positions.

From the foregoing description, it is thought to be obvious that a photo printing apparatus constructed in accordance with our invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that our invention is susceptible of some change and modification including variations in the shape and size of the parts, Without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason, we do not wish to be understood as limiting ourselves to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out our invention in practice, except as claimed.

We claim:

1. In a contact printing machine, the combination which comprises a mounting frame, a pair of spaced transversely disposed rails mounted in said frame, transversely disposed detent supporting rods having longitudinally positioned keys thereon also mounted in the mounting frame, spaced from and parallel to the said rails, carriage plates mounted to travel on said transversely disposed rails, spaced longitudinally disposed tracks carried by said carriage plates, a horizontally disposed bed plate mounted to travel on said tracks, a plurality of spaced detent supporting longitudinally disposed rods having longitudinally disposed keys thereon spaced from, parallel to, and positioned adjacent to one of said longitudinally disposed tracks, spacing blocks having slots therein adjustably mounted on the said transversely and longitudinally disposed rods, respectively, said-blocks having keyways therein for receiving the keys of the rods for positioning the blocks with the slots therein extended upwardly, arms having dogs depending therefrom pivotally mounted on the under surfaces of the bed plate and carriage plates, re-,

spectively, and toggle acting arms pivotally connected tothe said arms and plates and positioned to pass over dead center with the dogs in the slots of the blocks for retaining the said dogs in locking engagement with the said spacing blocks and also in positions spaced from the said spacing blocks.

2. In a contact printing machine, the combination which comprises a mounting frame, a pair of spaced transversely disposed rails mounted in said frame, transversely disposed detent supporting rods having longitudinally positioned keys thereon also mounted in the mounting frame, spaced from and parallel to the said rails, carriage plates mounted to travel on said transversely disposed rails, spaced longitudinally disposed tracks carried by said carriage plates, a horizontally disposed bed plate mounted to travel on said tracks, a plurality of the said rods having longitudinally disposed keys thereon spaced from, parallel to and positioned adjacent to one of said longitudinally disposed tracks, spacing blocks having substantially V-shape slots therein adjustably mounted on the said transversely and longitudinally disposed rods, respectively, said blocks having keyways therein for receiving the keys of the rods for positioning the blocks with the V-shape slots therein extended upwardly, arms having dogs depending therefrom pivotally mounted on the under surfaces of the bed plate and carriage plates respectively, the dogs of the arms pivotally mounted on the under surface of the bed plate being positioned at different distances from the pivotal mounting means to correspond with the spacing blocks of the rods, and toggle acting arms pivotally connected to the said arms and plates and positioned to pass over dead center with the dogs in the V-shape slots of the blocks for retaining the said dogs in locking engagement with the said spacing blocks and also in positions spaced from the said spacing blocks.

3. In a contact printing machine, the combination which comprises a mounting frame, a pair of spaced transversely disposed rails mounted in said frame, transversely disposed detent supporting rods having longitudinally positioned keys thereon also mounted in the mounting frame, spaced from and parallel to the said rails, carriage plates mounted to travel on said transversely disposed rails, spaced longitudinally disposed tracks carried by said carriage plates, a horizontally disposed bed plate having a vacuum chamber therein with rows of apertures extended from the chamber through the face of the plate mounted to travel on said tracks, a light housing positioned above said bed plate, said light housing having a continuous vacuum chamber extended around the lower end with rows of apertures extended from the chamber through the lower end of the housing, a plurality of the said rods having longitudinally disposed keys thereon spaced from, parallel to, and positioned adjacent to one of said longitudinally disposed tracks, spacing blocks having substantially V-shape slots therein adjustably mounted on the said transversely and longitudinally disposed rods, respectively, said blocks having keyways therein for receiving the keys of the rods for positioning the blocks with the V-shape slots therein extended upwardly, arms having dogs depending therefrom pivotally mounted on the under surfaces of the bed plate and carriage plates respectively, toggle acting arms pivotally connected to the said arms and plates and positioned to pass over dead center with the dogs in the V-shape slots of the blocks for retaining the said dogs in looking engagement with the said spacing blocks and also in positions spaced from the said spacing blocks, means retaining image bearing and receiving matter on the upper surface of the bed plate and under surface of the light housing, means for elevating the light housing, and means pivotally mounting the light housing whereby the housing is rotatable through an angle of 90.

4. In a contact printing machine, the combination which comprises a mounting frame, a pair of spaced transversely disposed rails mounted in said frame, transversely disposed detent block supporting rods removably mounted in the frame, spaced from and positioned parallel to the said rails, a carriage including spaced parallel tracks longitudinally positioned in said frame and carried by transversely disposed plates mounted for longitudinal travel on said transversely disposed rails, spaced longitudinally disposed parallel detent block supporting rods mounted in the frame and spaced from and parallel to one of said tracks, a bed plate mounted in the frame and positioned to travel longitudinally on said tracks, detent blocks with transversely positioned substantially V-shape slots in the upper surfaces adjustably mounted on the said transverse and longitudinally disposed detent block supporting rods, levers having locking dogs extended from the under surfaces pivotally mounted on the under surfaces of the bed plate and transversely disposed plates of the carriage, toggle acting levers extended from the pivotally mounted levers, and springs coacting with the toggle acting levers for retaining the levers over dead center for holding the dogs in the slots of the detent blocks and also for holding the levers with the dogs spaced from the detent blocks.

HERMAN H. HILLMER.

HENRY P. ORENT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

